Costa Rica, a Holiday with Nature, Part 2 of 3

Collared Aracari, Selva Verde Lodge, Costa Rica

Pale-billed Woodpecker, Selva Verde Lodge, Costa Rica

The feeder where I photographed the most, just happened to be next to the bar. Yes, before dinner, a cold Costa Rican beer goes just fine with bird photography. Over three days, some species were common at the feeders, but each day a species that I hadn’t seen before would also appear.

Green and Black Poison Dart Frog, Selva Verde Lodge, Costa Rica

When hiking the trails on the property I photographed Green and Black Poison Dart Frogs, and Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs, Greater Sack-winged Bats and a Double-Crested Basilisk (aka Jesus Christ Lizard – they “walk on water”).

Mantled howler, Sarapiqui River, Costa Rica

One morning we took a boat tour on the Sarapiqui River. From the boat I photographed a Spectacled Caiman, Mantled Howler Monkeys, Brazilian Long-nosed Bats, a Green Iguana and a variety of birds including herons and kingfishers.

Spectacled caiman, Sarapiqui River, Costa Rica

Great Curassow, La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

The Selva Verde Lodge is also a good base for visiting the La Selva Biological Station, a 3,700 acre biological research station which is open to the public. Over 400 species of birds have been documented on the property. With a reservation, we had a privately guided nature walk and saw many birds, but missed at least 400 species.

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog with Tadpole, La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

A highlight at La Selva was seeing a tiny (less than 1 inch in length or 17 to 24 mm) Strawberry Poison-dart Frog transporting one of its tadpoles, on her back, to a pool of water in the axils of bromeliad leaves. This frog was a “Blue Jeans” morph, which has dark blue lower parts. Biologists reading this report will have a greater appreciation of this sighting.

For over 100 more photos from this trip go to http://dongettywildlifephotography.com/p445168888

To go back to part 1 of this trip report go to http://focusingonwildlife.com/news/?p=12891

Stay turned for part 3 for a report on our final stop in Costa Rica.

Don Getty http://www.dongettywildlifephotography.com/

Don Getty

Don Getty has been an avid wildlife photographer for over 20 years. He resides in Wyoming, just 30 miles from Yellowstone Park. He photographs birds, mammals, reptiles and just about any living creature he can get in front of his lens. Wildlife photography has taken him throughout the Rocky Mountain region of the US and Canada, East Africa, South Africa, Costa Rica, Florida and Churchill Manitoba. He has received numerous awards and his images have appeared in many magazines, books and calendars.

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